Driver hospitalized after crashing into semi on I-70

By Lucy Perry
Indiana Central News

CLAY COUNTY -   A Colorado man was hospitalized after a crash with a semi truck on Interstate 70 Thursday afternoon in Clay County.

Curtis Ray, 35, of Colorado Springs, Colo., was transported to a Terre Haute hospital for medical treatment. 

The vehicle collided with the rear of a 2020 International semi-tractor trailer driven by Tommy L. Rosecrans, 32, of Oskaloosa, Kansas.

Emergency crews responded to the two-vehicle accident near the 26-mile marker around 5:25 p.m.

Indiana State Police Sgt. Matt Ames explained that Ray was driving a 2017 Chevrolet westbound when, due to the rain and wet road conditions, the flow of traffic slowed and drivers were using their hazard lights. 

"Ray failed to observe the hazard lights of the slowed traffic and attempted an evasive driving maneuver to avoid a collision, switching lanes rapidly," he said. "This collision caused Ray’s vehicle to flip and come to an abrupt stop facing eastbound in the westbound lanes."

Ames notes that good samaritans at the scene rendered lifesaving first aid to Ray until the arrival of first responders.
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Trooper Athan Lamson was assisted at the crash scene by several troopers of the Putnamville Post, Jackson Volunteer Fire Department and Starr Ambulance.